[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 47 (Friday, March 9, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 14314-14316]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-5794]



[[Page 14314]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0250; Directorate Identifier 2011-CE-043-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; SOCATA Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
SOCATA Model TBM 700 airplanes. This proposed AD results from mandatory 
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation 
authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe 
condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe 
condition as installation of an incorrect part number during overhaul 
of the nose landing gear. We are issuing this proposed AD to require 
actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 23, 2012.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
SOCATA--Direction des Services, 65921 Tarbes Cedex 9, France; 
telephone: +33 (0)5 62 41 73 00; fax: +33 (0)5 62 41 76 54; or in the 
United States contact SOCATA North America, Inc., North Perry Airport, 
7501 South Airport Road, Pembroke Pines, Florida 33023; telephone: 
(954) 893-1400; fax: (954) 964-4141; email: [email protected]; 
Internet: www.socatanorthamerica.com. You may review copies of the 
referenced service information at the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 
901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information on the 
availability of this material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory 
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street 
address for the Docket Office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is in the 
ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly 
after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Albert Mercado, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4119; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2012-0250; 
Directorate Identifier 2011-CE-043-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposed AD because of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued AD 
No. 2011-0235-E, dated December 13, 2011 (referred to after this as 
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified 
products. The MCAI states:

    A TBM 700 operator reported a case of rupture of the bolt 
attaching the actuator hinge axle on the NLG of the aeroplane. The 
results of the technical investigations carried out by SOCATA 
revealed that this rupture could have been caused by the 
installation of a bolt bearing incorrect Part Number (P/N) during 
overhaul of the NLG. Furthermore, the investigations led to identify 
the NLG part numbers identified by S/N which are potentially 
affected after repair or overhaul.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to 
partial disengagement of the actuator hinge axle on the NLG of the 
aeroplane, resulting in nose landing gear collapse, possibly 
resulting in structural damage to the aeroplane.
    To address this condition, SOCATA have developed Service 
Bulletin SB 70-194-32 which gives instructions for accomplishing 
repetitive checks of the bolt attaching actuator hinge axle on NLG 
and for replacing the bolt attaching the actuator hinge axle with a 
correct bolt P/N.
    For the reasons described above, this AD requires accomplishment 
of repetitive checks of potentially affected NLGs and replacement of 
the bolt attaching the actuator hinge axle with a serviceable bolt. 
This AD also prohibits installation on any aeroplane of a 
potentially affected NLG, unless the bolt attaching the actuator 
hinge axle has been replaced with a serviceable bolt and the NLG has 
been marked with a green varnish line.
    Following issuance of EASA AD 2011-0225-E, it has been 
determined that further NLG P/Ns and S/Ns are affected by this AD. 
SOCATA have developed an erratum to SB 70-194-32 amendment 2, which 
lists the new P/Ns and S/Ns as well affected by this AD.
    For the above reason, this AD, which supersedes EASA AD 2011-
0225-E, retaining its requirements, extends the list of NLG P/Ns and 
S/Ns affected by the AD requirements.

You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD 
docket.

Relevant Service Information

    DAHER-SOCATA has issued DAHER-SOCATA TBM Aircraft Mandatory Service 
Bulletin SB 70-194-32, Amendment 2, dated November 2011; and Erratum to 
DAHER-SOCATA TBM Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 70-194-32, 
Amendment 2, dated December 2011. The actions described in this service 
information are intended to correct the unsafe condition identified in 
the MCAI.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to our bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, they 
have notified us of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and 
service information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because 
we evaluated all information and determined the unsafe condition exists 
and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type 
design.

[[Page 14315]]

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD will affect 448 products of U.S. 
registry. We also estimate that it would take about 1 work-hour per 
product to comply with the basic requirements of this proposed AD. The 
average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts would cost 
about $35 per product.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on 
U.S. operators to be $53,760, or $120 per product.
    According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this proposed 
AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on 
affected individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected 
individuals. As a result, we have included all costs in our cost 
estimate.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. ``Subtitle VII: Aviation 
Programs,'' describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's 
authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
``Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would not 
have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship 
between the national Government and the States, or on the distribution 
of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify this proposed 
regulation:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies 
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (4) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or 
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria 
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

    1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

    2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

SOCATA: Docket No. FAA-2012-0250; Directorate Identifier 2011-CE-
043-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by April 23, 2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to SOCATA Model TBM 700 airplanes, all serial 
numbers (S/N), certificated in any category, equipped with one of 
the following landing gears:
    (1) Part number (P/N) D23766000 or D23766000-X, serial numbers 
(S/N) B001 through B373; B375; AR1000 through AR1023; AR1025 through 
AR1031; AR1033 through AR1036; AAB00000A through AAB13766Z; AAB00000 
through AAB13766; and EURXXX; or
    (2) P/N 21130-001-XY or 21130-000-XY, all S/N.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 32: Landing 
Gear.

(e) Reason

    This proposed AD was prompted by mandatory continuing 
airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority 
of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an 
aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as 
installation of an incorrect part number during overhaul of the nose 
landing gear. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct 
installation of incorrect P/N NLG bolts, which if not corrected 
could result in NLG collapse with consequent structural damage to 
the airplane.

(f) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the following actions using the 
Accomplishment Instructions of DAHER-SOCATA TBM Aircraft Mandatory 
Service Bulletin SB 70-194-32, Amendment 2, dated November 2011; and 
Erratum to DAHER-SOCATA TBM Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 
70-194-32, Amendment 2, dated December 2011:
    (1) Although the EASA MCAI allows the inspection of the NLG 
washer to be done by a pilot-owner, the U.S. regulatory system 
requires all actions of this AD to be done by a certified mechanic.
    (2) Within 5 flight cycles (FC) after the effective date of this 
AD, inspect the installed NLG to determine if it is one of the 
affected P/Ns and S/Ns as listed in paragraph (c) of this AD.
    (i) If FC data is not available, the use of a one-to-one FC to 
flight hour conversion must be applied (example: 5 FC equal 5 hours 
time-in-service (TIS)).
    (ii) For the purpose of this AD, when an NLG P/N reference is 
followed by -X or -XY, the X or XY can be any numerical digit, and 
when an NLG S/N reference is EURXXX, the XXX can be any numerical 
digit.
    (3) If during the inspection required in paragraph (f)(2) of 
this AD, you determine the NLG installed is one of the affected P/Ns 
and S/Ns listed in paragraph c of the AD, inspect for free rotation 
the washer of the NLG. Repetitively thereafter inspect the washer of 
the NLG for free rotation before every flight until the replacement 
required in paragraph (4)(i) or (5) of this AD is done.
    (4) If, during any inspection required by paragraph (f)(3) of 
this AD, the washer of the NLG rotates freely, before further 
flight, do the following actions:
    (i) Replace the bolt attaching the actuator hinge axle of the 
NLG with a serviceable bolt P/N 5101301111.
    (ii) Mark the landing gear with a green varnish line.
    (5) For the NLG P/Ns and S/Ns as listed in paragraph c of this 
AD, within 10 months after the effective date of this AD, unless 
already done following a discrepancy identified during any 
inspection as required by paragraph (f)(3) of this AD, do the 
following actions:
    (i) Replace the bolt attaching the actuator hinge axle of the 
NLG with a serviceable bolt P/N 5101301111 and;
    (ii) Mark the landing gear with a green varnish line.
    (6) Replacing of the bolt attaching the actuator hinge axle of 
the NLG with a serviceable bolt P/N 5101301111 and marking the 
landing gear with a green varnish line terminates the repetitive 
inspections required by paragraph (f)(3) of this AD.
    (7) After the effective date of this AD, do not install an NLG 
with P/N and S/N as listed in paragraph c of this AD, unless the 
bolt attaching the actuator hinge axle of the NLG has been replaced 
and the NLG has been marked with a green varnish line following the 
requirements of this AD.

(g) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
Standards Office,

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FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested 
using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to 
ATTN: Albert Mercado, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane 
Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; 
telephone: (816) 329-4119; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: 
[email protected]. Before using any approved AMOC on any 
airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District Office 
(FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO.
    (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain 
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these 
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered 
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority 
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product 
is airworthy before it is returned to service.
    (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in 
this AD, a federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person 
is not required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a 
penalty for failure to comply with a collection of information 
subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless 
that collection of information displays a current valid OMB Control 
Number. The OMB Control Number for this information collection is 
2120-0056. Public reporting for this collection of information is 
estimated to be approximately 5 minutes per response, including the 
time for reviewing instructions, completing and reviewing the 
collection of information. All responses to this collection of 
information are mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this 
burden and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to 
the FAA at: 800 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20591, Attn: 
Information Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200.

(h) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No.: 
2011-0235-E, dated December 13, 2011; DAHER-SOCATA TBM Aircraft 
Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 70-194, Amendment 2, dated November 
2011; and Erratum to DAHER-SOCATA TBM Aircraft Mandatory Service 
Bulletin SB 70 194-32, Amendment 2, dated December 2011, for related 
information. For service information related to this AD, contact 
SOCATA--Direction des Services, 65921 Tarbes Cedex 9, France; 
telephone: +33 (0)5 62 41 73 00; fax: +33 (0)5 62 41 7654; or in the 
United States contact SOCATA North America, Inc., North Perry 
Airport, 7501 South Airport Road, Pembroke Pines, Florida 33023; 
telephone: (954) 893-1400; fax: (954) 964-4141; email: 
[email protected]; Internet: www.socatanorthamerica.com. You 
may review copies of the referenced service information at the FAA, 
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. 
For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, 
call (816) 329-4148.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 5, 2012.
John Colomy,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-5794 Filed 3-8-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P